Emerging Filmmakers Showcase: ‘CarousHell 4’
October 29 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
The Lindsay’s latest Emerging Filmmakers Showcase is a locally filmed horror-comedy that’s a perfect way to kick off your Hallo-weekend!
CarousHell 4 is the latest installment in Pittsburgh-based filmmaker Steve Rudzinksi’s ongoing story about a sentient carousel unicorn, his son and their seemingly never-ending battles against malevolent supernatural forces. Rudzinski is a Lindsay veteran who was most recently here in January for I: Scream—A Minty Musical, which he co-wrote with his wife, Aleen Isley.
Fans of Western Pennsylvania-made horror can check out CarousHell 4 at The Lindsay on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7:30 p.m. Rudzinski will be on hand for a filmmaker Q&A immediately following the screening. Tickets are free, and RSVPs are recommended in advance via the sign-up form below due to space limitations.
“These are all very silly, funny and over-the-top live-action cartoons,” Rudzinski says of the CarousHell franchise. “This won’t be a Halloween film to scream at—it will be one to laugh and cheer with!”
The original CarousHell debuted in 2016 and followed Duke the unicorn (voiced by Steve Rimpici) as he broke free from his ride and sought revenge on his abusers. Duke’s son, Robbie (voiced by B. Barnabei), was introduced in the film’s 2021 sequel. In CarousHell 4, Duke’s main objective is helping Robbie understand that growing up isn’t scary.
On a father-son vacation to a cabin in the woods, Robbie finds the Nekkomeownicon and attempts to contact his late mother. But these words are instead heard by The Leviathan and its demon horde. Evil Dead enthusiasts will appreciate the Nekkomeownicon as a direct homage to that series’ cursed tome, the Necronomicon. Rudzinksi explained that the creatures Duke and Robbie are contending with in CarousHell 4 were also inspired by Evil Dead monsters known as Deadites.
The film’s mostly local cast includes Isley—who co-wrote CarousHell 4 and also returns as the villainous Ilsa—Ben Dietels, Sarah Brunner, Mark McConnell Jr., Chris Proud and P.J. Gaynard. Most of CarousHell 4 was filmed at Portals of Fear, a haunted attraction in West Mifflin. “The incredible set built by the Portals of Fear team, along with our lighting, oozes Halloween atmosphere,” Rudzinski says.
Rudzinski loves that a decade into Duke and Robbie’s adventures, “so many people around the world genuinely care about these characters.” They come for horror hijinks and Looney Tunes-esque antics, but end up sticking around after making an “emotional connection to what in real life are two inanimate objects.”
Though his work has been screened worldwide, Rudzinski will always make a point to share these films with his hometown.
“There are fans all over the world selling out theaters for these silly killer unicorn films,” he says. “But as someone who lives in this area, it is important to me to continue hiring mostly local talent, to film the movie locally and to show the local audience the kind of talent that lives next door to them. As long as The Lindsay welcomes me back, I will continue having these free screenings to bring the community together to share a fun time.”
